"...the king loved her more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti."

I always admired Esther's beauty. I can imagine, she must have been clothed with grace and humility. Her voice must had been soft-spoken, and her smile must had been so gentle, it lit up her face and just made the hearts of most men melt away. But that beauty was not only skin deep. It exuded from within her spirit.

The moment she was about to be presented before King Xerxes, she didn't adore herself with ornaments of her choice. Unlike the other women in this beauty pageant for queenship, Esther took the advice of Hegai, who knew very well what would really please the king. And she was admired by everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15). As the king beheld her, he fell in love with her that instant. And as stated in Esther 2:16, the king was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.

The king was so delighted with her! Because she let herself be prepared to be pleasing before the king.

Do we please our King? Are we pleasing before Him today? If God would behold us this very moment... how would He see us...?

In white shining garment of righteousness? Studded with diamonds and precious jewels? Scented with expensive spiritual perfume of meekness, self-control, and humility? Would He see the mark of the blood of Jesus in us?

Or would He see filthy clothes? Garments soiled with sin, that need to be washed and soaked with Jesus' blood, or need to be totally changed? Stenched with pride, self-righteousness, and self-indulgence? Would He see our filthiness instead of Jesus' righteousness?

How will he see us? Would we be like Queen Esther, delighted by the king? Or would we be like Queen Vashti, banished from the kingdom because of her disobedience?

I pray, that when we stand before the Judgment Throne of Christ, our hearts will be overwhelmed by the beauty, the loveliness, the majesty, the glory, and the splendor of our King... instead of being gripped by fear, guilt, and humiliation because of our own filthiness. Let us seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit and ask what would please the King. Let us submit ourselves to the preparation, the beautification, no matter how hard and how painful it is to be spiritually scrubbed. Let us not depend on our own human wisdom. Let us not rely on what we thought would please our King. Seek and know what is in His heart. And delight Him like a beautiful bride delights her bridegroom.